Escalating Unrest in America; Curfew Announced in 40 Cities
America witnessed widespread protests for the sixth consecutive day following the death of George Floyd. The National Guard has been mobilized in 15 states. Donald Trump has urged state governors to take tough action against protesters.
Nearly a week after George Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer, there are no signs of calm in America.
Massive rallies in New York, cars set on fire in Boston, and looting of stores in Philadelphia; the protests and unrest over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis have entered their sixth consecutive day across different parts of America.
Washington also witnessed gatherings of protesters in front of the White House. Police attempts to disperse the demonstrators led to clashes.
“Peace without justice is impossible” was among the slogans chanted by protesters. According to news media reports, police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the demonstrators.
As CNN reported, curfews have been announced in at least 40 American cities, including Washington. Arizona’s governor announced that the curfew will remain in effect for one week until June 8.
CNN also reported the mobilization of the National Guard in at least 15 American states.
Donald Trump, the American president, on Sunday evening, June 1, praised the National Guard’s actions in Minnesota through a series of tweets and noted that these forces should have been mobilized and deployed earlier.
In another tweet, Trump wrote entirely in capital letters: “Law and Order!” He has repeatedly accused Democratic governors of not dealing decisively with “criminals.”
The American president on Sunday again blamed the anti-fascist Antifa group for the violence and announced that this group will be placed on the list of terrorist groups and organizations.
Protests and unrest in America erupted following the death of a Black man named George Floyd. In images that spread rapidly on social media last week, a police officer was seen pressing his knee on the neck of the 46-year-old Floyd while making an arrest.
Disregarding Floyd’s pleas for help, who was struggling to say he could not breathe, the officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes. Floyd died shortly thereafter at a hospital.
Derek Chauvin, the police officer whose excessive force caused George Floyd’s death, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter. He is currently in custody and is scheduled to be arraigned today, Monday, June 1.
George Floyd was detained after a store owner accused him of attempting to pay with a counterfeit $20 bill.
Source: DW
